Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Brighton striker Joao Pedro in a deal worth over £50 million, with the Brazilian forward set to fly to the United States and join Enzo Maresca’s squad for the FIFA Club World Cup.
⚡ What’s Happening?
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According to The Athletic, Chelsea have beaten out strong interest from Newcastle United to secure the signature of Joao Pedro. The Blues have agreed terms with Brighton, and the 23-year-old is expected to sign a long-term deal running until 2032 —a hallmark of the club’s recent transfer strategy.
🔍 Why This Transfer Matters
Pedro's arrival adds another exciting option to Maresca's attacking setup, which already features Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap. With Chelsea reaching the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup, they are keen to bolster their squad depth as they prepare for a high-stakes match against **Palmeiras** in the early hours of Saturday.
🔁 Newcastle Miss Out
Newcastle were also in the race to sign the former Watford talent. They had lined up Pedro alongside James Trafford from Burnley and Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest. However, all their offers were turned down, and with Pedro choosing Chelsea, the Magpies will be forced back into the market as they plan for the 2025-26 season.
👀 What’s Next for Pedro?
Once his medical is completed and the deal is finalized, Pedro is expected to immediately join Chelsea’s squad in the U.S. There’s even a chance he could make his debut against Palmeiras, depending on how quickly the paperwork is wrapped up.
His addition will give Chelsea a fresh attacking boost as they chase international glory and prepare for another busy domestic campaign under new manager Enzo Maresca.